Friday, May 07, 2021
Fri-Yay: Rolling Stone's 100 Best Sitcoms of All Time; Marion Cunningham Greatest Classic TV Mom in New Poll
It's time for another edition of Fri-Yay! That means we will take a look back on some sitcom happenings in recent days or weeks or other fun sitcomy stuff. It's a sitcom lover's paradise! Happy Fri-Yay!
by Vincent
This week, Rolling Stone posted an article about the best sitcoms of all time. If your Twitter feed is like mine, it's been buzzing with discussion about it. Obviously, these lists are entirely subject, just a few critics opinions, and should only be taken light heartedly. But what’s the point of the internet if not to argue and give your opinion on something that ultimately is pretty inconsequential? So, in this column, I'll share my thoughts on Rolling Stone's Best Sitcoms of All Time list.
For the most part, there isn't too much I could quibble with. The show ranked first is The Simpsons, which would also be my #1 pick, if only for the unbeatable '90s seasons. Many of my other favorites - The Office, 30 Rock, Cheers, Community - also made the cut. Still, I would say the list leaned more heavily on modern shows - more obscure and short running modern series like, say, Baskets made the cut over older and perhaps equally strong obscure older shows. But it was still a solid list and I enjoyed reading a celebration of so many different sitcoms from many different eras. Check out the list, and see for yourself what you think of their ranking.
With Mother's Day this Sunday, we leave you with a classic TV moms update. Marion Cunningham, beloved "Mrs. C" from TV's Happy Days edged out Shirley Partridge from The Partridge Family for Greatest Classic TV Mom in a nationwide tournament sponsored by BoomAgain.com . Greatest Classic TV Mom bracket paired moms from popular Boomer sitcoms including Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch), June Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver), Edith Bunker (All in the Family), Morticia Addams (The Addams Family), Florida Evans (Good Times), Jane Jetson (The Jetsons), and more. More than 6000 votes were cast during the 7-day tournament. In the finals Mrs. C handily defeated Shirley Partridge with 56% of the vote.
Fans also weighed-in on social media with ringing endorsements for their "other mothers." Shirley Partridge was revered for carrying the load as a single mom -- "Shirley Partridge didn't have a housekeeper or a husband but she made it work." Fans of Edith Bunker noted, "Edith wasn't just a doormat for Archie. She supported Gloria's feminism." But in the end Mrs. C was "...ahead of her time. She accepted her kids' friends and supported their dreams." Another crowned her as "...the Mom we all wanted." The tournament was sponsored by Boom Again, a pop-culture trivia game celebrating Baby Boomers.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Sunday, January 25
Shifting Gears - "Dog" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Matt refuses to let Carter bring a dog into “his” house, Riley starts to wonder if it’s time for her and the kids to find their own place. Meanwhile, Gabe seeks Riley’s advice amid second thoughts about moving in with Amelie.
Shifting Gears - "Friend" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt’s reunion with a high school friend stirs up more than nostalgia when he meets their equally opinionated spouse. Meanwhile, Riley spirals when Klatch gets a negative Yelp review. Tuc Watkins, Jim Rash and Jesse Williams guest star.
Shifting Gears - "License" (ABC, 10:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When he finds out Carter’s getting driving lessons, Matt’s plan to prove he’s the better teacher hits a snag when he learns his license is expired. Meanwhile, Riley’s two worlds collide as she struggles to keep both her business and family afloat.
Shifting Gears - "Loyalty" (ABC, 10:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Matt’s dream build turns into a nightmare when controversy between Stitch and the client threatens to derail everything. Meanwhile, Riley hires Carter at her coffee business and quickly learns that working with family brews more tension than drinks.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of January 19)
Friday, January 23
- Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation) - Watch Chris on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Dulcé Sloan (The Great North) - Dulcé is a guest on a repeat of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
- Michael Urie (Shrinking/Krapopolis/Partners) - Michael talks about Shrinking on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Anthony chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Kim Fields (The Upshaws/Living Single/The Facts of Life/Baby, I'm Back) - Kim is back with the Tam Fam as she closes out a huge chapter as Regina Upshaw in Netflix's hit comedy The Upshaws on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings. She shares more about her next journey with her new global wellness brand “Refresh by KF” and guides the Tam Fam through a wellness exercise designed to help you slow down, reset and refocus.
- Jennette McCurdy (Sam & Cat/iCarly) - Jennette tells Drew about her latest book Half Her Age on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
08/26 - The Huckleberry Hound Show - The Complete Original Series (Blu-ray)
09/30 - Touché Turtle and Dum Dum - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
10/07 - Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - The Complete First Season (DVD)
10/14 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
10/28 - St. Denis Medical - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/04 - Happy's Place - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - Rick and Morty - Season 8 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
11/11 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fifteenth Season (DVD)
11/11 - Two and a Half Men - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/02 - Tom and Jerry - The Golden Era Anthology (1940-1958) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
12/16 - Lippy the Lion and Hardy Har Har - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/16 - Wally Gator - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
01/20 - The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Golden Age Collection (Blu-ray)
01/27 - The New Fred and Barney Show - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/11 - Tom and Jerry - The Complete CinemaScope Collection (Blu-ray)
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